Growing Toward the Future: A Young Farmer’s Vision

In the mountains and river valleys of Hampshire County, West Virginia, a 17-year-old with a passion for sheep, a deep respect for history and stewardship, as well as a vision for the future is learning the ins and outs of managing his own agricultural operation. 

Grandin Lewis, a senior at Hampshire High School, is not your average teenager. While many of his peers are navigating the typical rites of passage, Grandin is managing a growing Suffolk sheep operation that he has funded himself over the past six years. His journey began with a loan through Farm Credit’s youth loan program, and it has since evolved into a full-fledged enterprise that’s earned him national recognition and a seat on the United Junior Suffolk Sheep Association Board.

“I’ve been around agriculture my whole life,” Grandin says. “It’s a legacy. I went to my first livestock show when I was just a few months old.” That legacy runs deep – his meemaw was a 4-H Club leader for 37 years, his family’s flock dates back to 1928 and his father, Isaac Lewis, is a longtime ag educator at Hampshire High. However, Grandin’s path is uniquely his own.

What started as a few club lambs for the county fair has grown into a competitive Suffolk breeding program consisting of about 25 sheep. Grandin shows at national events such as the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. and the All-American Junior Sheep Show, which will be held in Timonium, Md. in 2026. He’s also developed close relationships with prominent sheep producers across the country, including the Russell family of Muncie, Ind., whose mentorship and hospitality have helped shape his goals. “They treat me like family,” Grandin shared. “And being out in Indiana made me take a liking to Purdue University, and Purdue works directly with Reproduction Specialties Group (RSG), which is where I hope to work one day.” RSG is a pioneer and leading service provider when it comes to breeding, nutrition, animal health and genetics in the sheep industry.

Grandin’s operation is more than just a business; it’s a mission to encourage other young people to get involved in agriculture. He dreams of producing high-quality lambs that will help other young people succeed in the industry. “I’ve had people help me along the way,” he said. “Now I want to give back. I want to support kids at the county fair, at state fairs, even nationally.”

That sense of community is a recurring theme in Grandin’s story. Grandin is quick to credit others for his success, whether it’s the Auvilles from Mount Sidney, Va., who helped him get started with Suffolks, or the countless families he’s met through shows and sales. “Even when we’re competing, they’re still cheering me on,” he reflected. “That’s what makes agriculture different.” He is also grateful for the support he’s received from Farm Credit, since he took out his first loan through the youth loan program in 2021. He appreciates how present Farm Credit is in the community and how active the cooperative is with youth agriculture programs. 

Grandin is no stranger to challenges, one of which being the sorrow of losing favorite ewes – animals he had raised and showed, bonded with, and had high hopes for. “It’s mentally and physically draining sometimes,” he admitted. “But you have to keep your head up. You have to ask yourself every day, ‘What can I do to get 1% better?’”

That mindset extends to his advice for other young people interested in agriculture: be present, work hard, focus on good nutrition and don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. “You’re going to lose sometimes,” Grandin shared. “But that’s just one judge’s opinion on one day. You learn, you grow and you keep going.”

As Grandin looks ahead, he remains grounded in the values that brought him here, including family, community and a love for the animals he works with every day. He emphasized the importance of loving what you do, otherwise it’s difficult to stay motivated through the challenging times. 

Isaac Lewis, Grandin’s father and mentor, has watched his son carve out his own path with pride. “Grandin has taken his own steps in this process,” he shared. “He’s not just following in my footsteps; he’s building something new.” Isaac, who has taught animal science, animal production and veterinary studies at Hampshire High for over 25 years, has helped transform the school’s ag program from a modest setup with rabbits in the office to a multi-building facility with a swine herd, grooming lab and hands-on learning opportunities for students, including an entrepreneurship class in which the students run a fully operational pet grooming business out of the school.

Isaac is especially proud of how the program empowers students to take ownership. “When I can leave for a day and know the animals will be cared for, the shots will be given and the barn will run smoothly – that’s when I know we’re doing something right,” he says.

This feature story was originally published in the Winter 2025 Leader magazine. Access the full magazine (digital version) HERE.